East of Town

East of Town East of Town by Wei Yingwu probably refers to beautiful Suzhou where Wei was governor in his last posting before his death. Wei Yingwu (韋應物 ca. 737-792), wrote many of his poems in the style of the earlier five-character poet Tao Qian, (365-427), who was, for much of his life, a recluse….

Wangchuan

whistling rain, gurgling water on a rocky shore, egrets rising and falling in crashing waves

Li Bai, Why I live in the Green Mountains

In the mountains, you asked, I answered, most popular answer Why do I live in the green mountains? I laugh and answer not, my soul serene I dwell in another paradise, where earth belongs to no man Where peach trees blossom forever, and the rivers flow on and on You ask, why I dwell on…

Part 3, Waking from a Stupor on a Spring Day (春日醉起言志) Li Bai

Touched by the beauty of the bird’s song, I sigh, Turning to my wine, I pour Awaiting the moon with a grand song, I sing Singing to the end, unmoved Li Bai, Waking from a Stupor on a Spring Day, third and final verse Life, a story in three acts Is this the way life…

Part 2, Waking from a Stupor on a Spring Day (春日醉起言志) Li Bai

Yesterday, we left super-poet Li Bai alone on the porch, drunk, clutching a column, lying in a stupor after a night of revelry and wine. Morning breaks and he comes to his senses, or does he? Yesterday’s verse Coming to my sense, I see the courtyard In the midst of the flowers a bird sings…

Spring Morning 春晓 – Meng Haoran

A favorite poem with children the world over. Spring, I slept past dawn ‘Til everywhere I heard the cry of birds Last night came the wind and rainTell me, how many blossoms fell? Spring Morning – Meng Haoran (ca. 689-740) Previously translated about 2 years ago. Worth a revisit. Thoughts on Spring Morning A lovely…

At Wang Changling’s Retreat – Chang Jian

Here, beside a lake clear and deepYou live amidst clouds Where softly through pine trees, the moon arrives To become your pure-hearted friend. Shaded by flowery blossoms underneath a thatch roof hut you rest Calmed by herbs that flourish in their bed of moss Let me thank you for the time On Xishan mountain with…

My Gift to Wanglun – Li Bai

My Gift to Wanglun As I, Li Bai, was about to leave by boatAlas, I heard singing on the shoreThough a thousand feet deep, Peach Blossom Lake may be,It compares not to Wang’s kinship to me. Original Chinese Characters 赠汪伦 李白乘舟将欲行忽闻岸上踏歌声桃花潭水深千尺不及汪伦送我行 Pinyin lǐ bái chéng zhōu jiāngyù xíng hū wén ànshàng tà gēshēng táohuātán shuǐshēn…

Zhang Jiuling – Thoughts I

Thoughts, First of Four A lonely swan comes from the sea Not daring to land on lake or pond Looking aside, he spies a pair of kingfishers Nesting on a three-pearled tree Bravely resting at the tree’s summit Have they no fear of slingshots? Beautiful clothes invite pointing fingers And, the high and wise face…

To Minister Zhang While Gazing at Lake Dongting

Note. Minister Zhang Jiuling held several important posts under Emperor Xuanzong, including head of the imperial library, minister of public works, and commandant of various prefectures. The ancient reader of this poem, acquainted with the history of the imperial court, would know that Minister Zhang fell from favor with the emperor and was dismissed. Thus,…